Medford Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus

MEDFORD, MA — A resident of Medford has tested positive for COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus, the mayor's office said Tuesday. The case is "presumptive positive," which means the Centers for Disease Control still needs to verify the test result. This is the first known instance of a positive case in the city.

"We are sharing this information with the public in in the interest of transparency, not to raise alarm," Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. "I am in constant contact with city emergency management and public health personnel as the situation continues to develop. I understand everyone’s deep concern surrounding this issue and am committed to sharing whatever information we can with the public as we get it."

City officials did not share details about how it is believed the person contracted the virus. There is a "high degree" of certainty the case is linked to an event that resulted in several presumptive positive tests for the illness, according to the mayor's office.

Officials said it is not a community spread instance of the virus, and the patient has not been in contact with any school-aged children or vulnerable populations. The person is currently in self-quarantine at home, the mayor's office said.

Don't miss updates about coronavirus precautions and information in Medford as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

There is no increased risk to the public at-large, according to health officials. Residents should continue to use general precautions, including thorough hand-washing, to prevent illness.

"The most important steps each one of us can take is to take the same steps we use to prevent colds and the flu including: washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your eyes and face, regularly cleaning frequently touched items like doorknobs and countertops with disinfectant spray or wipes, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow, and staying home when you feel sick," Maryann O’Connor, Director of Public Health, said in a statement.

Based on guidance from the Department of Public Health and the CDC, the city does not expect to cancel school or community events at this time. Visit medfordma.org for more information regarding general precautions, advice for businesses, travel information, and further guidance from the CDC.